Belt arm attachment



May 29, 1956 Filed June 22, 1953 O. THIEL BELT ARM ATTACHMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

OTTO THIEL May 29, 1956 o. THIEL BELT ARM ATTACHMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 22, 1955 BYW 46 FIG.4.

TTO THIEL ATTORN s FIG.5.

BELT ARl'VI ATTACHIVIENT Otto Thiel, Detroit, Mich, assignor to Midwest Suppiy and Manufacturing Company, Ferndale, iviicin, a corporation of Michigan Application June 22, 1953, Serial No. 363,129

18 Claims. (Cl. 74-24235) The present invention relates to a belt arm attachment, and more particularly to an attachment for the purpose of providing a support for a tension roll to be used in conjunction with a bufiing or polishing head of a machine.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a belt arm attachment comprising means for supporting a tension roll for swinging movement about a first axis substantially parallel to but spaced from its own axis and for angular adjustment about a second axis perpendicular to and intersecting the axis of the roll.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a belt arm attachment as described above comprising means for effecting angular adjustment of the tension roll irrespective of the position of such roll throughout its range of swinging movement.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide apparatus of the character described comprising means for resiliently biasingthe tension roll in a direction to tension a belt trained over such roll and an adjacent buffing head.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide in apparatus as described in the preceding paragraph, manual means for effecting quick release and application of the resilient pressure on the tension roll.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a belt arm having means at one end for effecting swinging movement of a tension roll about a first axis substantially parallel to and spaced from the axis of the roll and for angular adjustment about a second axis perpendicular to and intersecting the axis of the roll, and means for effecting angular adjustment of the roll comprising a member movable in coincidence with the axis about which the tension roll is mounted for swinging movement.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of vthe belt arm attached to a machine.

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the belt arm attachment separated from the machine.

Figure 3 is an elevational view of the attachment as seen from the right in Figure 2, with parts in section.

Figure 4 is a section taken substantially on the line 4-4, Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a section on the line 55, Figure 2.

In Figure I there is illustrated apparatus comprising a base having a first slide 12. mounted thereon for horizontal movement in one direction and a second slide 14 mounted on the first slide for horizontal movement in a direction at right angles to the direction of movement of the slide 12. Mounted on the slide 14 is a column 16 upon which is mounted a bracket 18 which may be vertically and angularly adjustable on the column 16. The bracket 18 carries a shaft housing 20 in which is mounted a shaft 22 carrying a bidding or polishing roll or head 24 or the like. The bracket also carries a motor 26. Suit- 2,747,421 Patented May 29, 1956 able means including the drive belts 27 and 28 are provided for rotating the operating head 24.

The belt arm attachment is illustrated in this figure'but is shown in greater detail in Figures 2-5 to which reference is now made. The belt arm attachment comprises a bracket 30 including a semi-circular portion 32 and a removable arcuate clamp 34 by means of which the bracket 34 may be clamped to the shaft housing 20. 'Rigidly carried by the bracket 30 is an arm 36 having at'its outer end a second bracket 38. The bracket 38 is provided with an opening 49 therethrough having bearings 42 therein and receives a shaft 44. Adacent one end the shaft 44 is provided with a lateral enlargement providing a mounting plate 46 and rigidly secured to the mounting plate 46 is a housing 43. The housing 48 includes a bushing portion 58 having an opening therethrough receiving a shaft 52 from one end of which extends a bent supporting arm 54 having an enlarged end portion 56 provided withan opening 58 receiving one end of ashaft 60 which carries the tension roll 62. It will be observed that the axis of the shaft 52 is perpendicular to and intersects theaxis of the roll 62 and moreover, passes midway between the ends of the roll. It will further be observed that the axis'ofthe shaft 52 is perpendicular to and offset from .the axis of the shaft 44. Finally, it will be observed that the axis of the shaft 44 is parallel or substantially parallel to the axis of the shaft 66 and is spaced substantially therefrom. The foregoing construction provides for swinging movement of the roll 62 about the axis of the shaft 44 and angular a'djustment of the roll 62 about the axis of the shaft 52.

In order to efiect tensioning of abelt B, which'may be an abrasive belt or the like, resilient means are provided effective to bias the tension roll 62 for. swinging movement away from the operating head 24. This means comprises a third bracket'64 secured to the arm 36 intermediate its ends and including an extension 66 terminating in an enlargement 68 apertured to receive a pivot mounting .pin 70. Rigidly secured to the pin 70 is a manual operating lever 72 which in turn has secured thereto a pivot mounting pin 74. A tubular spring housing 76 is provided having welded or otherwise secured thereto a block 78 mounted for swinging movement on the pivot pin 74. .-At the end of the spring housing 76 adjacent to thebracket 38 is an end closure construction 80 apertured to receive a connecting rod 82. The end of the rod 82 within the spring housing 76 has secured thereto a spring seat 84-which may be threaded to the rod for adjustment thereon. Within the housing 76 and intermediate the spring seat 84 and the end closure construction 80 is a compression spring 86.

The bracket 64 carries an abutment 88 against which the lever 72 engages in the position shown in Figures 2 and 3. At its opposite end the rod 82 has a head portion 90 connected to the housing 48 by a pivot pin 92. It will be observed that the axis of the pivot pin 92 is spaced substantially laterally from the axis of the shaft 44 so that the action of the spring 86 tends to swing, the housing 48 about the axis of the shaft 44.

It will also be observed that with the parts in the position illustrated in Figurel, the lever 72 is in over-center relation as indicated by the location of pins 70 and 74 so that theaction of the spring-tends to keep the lever in the illustrated position, which corresponds to substantial compression of the spring 86. When the lever 72is swung counterclockwise as seen in Figure 2, the pivot pin 74 is swung about the axis of the shaft 70, thereby effect ing movement of the spring housing 76 upwardly, asseen in these figures, and releasing the springfrom compres sion.

In order to provide angular adjustment of thetension roll 62 about the axis of the shaft 52, asis desirableto insure proper tracking of the .belt B over-the tension roll 62 and the operating head 24, means are provided which may be actuated at any time and during any position of the tension roll with reference to its swinging movement. This means comprises a short lever 96 rigidly 'secured to the shaft 52 and extending laterally therefrom. The lever 96 includes a ball head 98 which it will be observed is coincident with the axis of the shaft 44. In order to effect rotation of the shaft 52 and hence angular adjustment of the roll 62, the shaft 44 is centrally apertured as indicated at 100, and extending through this opening in the shaft is a pin 102. The left hand of the pin as seen in Figure 5, engages the side of the ball head 98. The housing 48 includes a tubular extension 104 in which is slidable a sleeve element 106 closed at one end as indicated at 108. Within the extension 104 is a compression spring 110 the left hand end of which is engaged by a threaded cap 111. As a result of the foregoing construction the sleeve 106 is urged to the right against the ball head 98 which is thereby maintained in contact with the upper end of the pin 102. Since the pin 102 and the ball head 98 lie along the axis of the shaft 44, rotation'of the housing 48 about the axis of this shaft does not disturb the relationship between the pin 102 and the lever 96.

In order to effect the above described angular adjustment of the tension roll 62 a rod 112 is provided which extends'through an apertured enlargement 114 on the bracket 64. The lower end of the rod 112 as seen in Figure 3. is threaded and is provided with nuts 116 by means of which the rod may be moved downwardly, the nuts being held against the enlargement 114 by the action of the spring 110. At its opposite end the rod 112 has a pivot connection indicated at 118 with a lever 120 mounted for rotation about a shaft 122. The lever 120 has outwardly extending arms, one of which as indicated at 124 is provided with a roller 126 which engages the end of the pin 102.

With the foregoing construction it will be observed that the rod 112 may be adjusted longitudinally during operation so as to effect the required angular adjustment of the tension roll 62 to bring about proper tracking of the belt B. At the same time, the manual lever 72 may be released so that the tension applied during operation by the spring 76 to the tension roll 62 is released, thereby releasing all tension on the belt B.

By the present construction it is possible to mount the belt arm attachment quickly on the shaft housing of the machine and to train the abrasive or other belt B over the tension roll 62 and the operating head 24 to thereby carry out an operation in which the belt is effectively driven by the rotation of the operating head 24 and is urged against a surface of the work piece thereby.

It will be'understood that the means mounting the shaft housing 20 on the bracket 18 includes means for effecting multiple angular adjustments thereof so that the abrasive surface of the belt may be brought into coinson skilled in the art to practice the invention, the scope of which is indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. A belt arm attachment for a machine having a first shaft housing, a rotary shaft in the housing, and an operating head carried by the shaftbeyond one end of the housing: said attachment comprising a main arm having clamping means at one end for mounting said arm on the housing, a bracket carried by said arm at its other end, a shaft mounted for rotation in said bracket, said shaft having an axial opening therethrough, a second housing fixedly secured to said shaft and having a journal perpendicular to and offset from the axis of said shaft, a support arm having a shaft portion received in said journal, and a tension roll on said support arm having its axis perpendicular to said journal, the axis of said journal intersecting said roll intermediate its ends, a short lever fixed to said shaft portion within said second housing, a pin extending through the opening in said shaft and operatively connected to said lever, means for adjusting said pin to angularly adjust said roll about the axis of said journal, and resilient means connecting said main arm and said second housing and biasing said second housing for angular movement about said shaft;

2. An attachment as defined in claim 1 in which an end of said pin abuts said lever, a spring in said second housing engaging said lever and pressing said lever against said pin.

3. A belt arm attachment for a machine having a shaft housing, a rotary shaft in the housing, and an operating head carried by the shaft beyond one end of the housing: said attachment comprising a main arm having clamping means at one end for mounting said arm on the housing, a bracket carried by said arm at its other end, a tension roll, and means on said bracket mounting said tension roll for swinging movement about an axis substantially parallel to and spaced from the axis of said roll and for angular adjustment about a second axis intersecting and perpendicular to the axis of said roll and perpendicular to and in a plane spaced from the axis of its swinging movement. 7

4. An attachment as defined in claim 3 and'means for effecting adjustment of said roll about said second axis in any position of itsswinging movement.

5. In apparatus of the character described, a tension roll, mounting means mounting said roll for angular adjustment about a first axis perpendicular to the axis of said roll and for swinging movement about a second axis substantially parallel to the axis of said roll and in a plane spaced laterally from said first axis, and adjusting means for angularly adjusting said roll comprising a member movable in coincidence with said second axis;

6. Structure as defined in claim 5 in which said mounting means comprises a first shaft in coincidence with cidence with any desired surface of a work piece to be polished.

It will be observed that the operating lever 72 and the nuts 116 for effecting angular adjustment of the belt are displaced substantially from the belt so that ready access thereto is possible during operation of the machine.

As is conventional in machines of the type to which the present attachment is applied, the operating head 24 is preferably mounted for yielding movement so that it may follow the contours of a work piece advanced beneath the operating head. It will be observed that the present attachment, by virtue of the fact that it is mounted directly on the shaft housing 20 partakes of such yielding movement of the operating head and maintains the belt in proper relation thereto at all times.

' The drawings and the foregoing specification constitute a description of the improved belt arm attachment in such full, clear, concise and exact terms as to enable any persaid first axis, a'second shaft in coincidence with said second axis, a lever fixed to said first shaft and extending to the axis of said second shaft and engaged thereat by said member.

7. Structure as defined in claim 6 and resilient means pressing said lever against said member.

8. Structure as defined in claim 7 in which said lever includes a ball head centered on said second axis.

9. A belt arm attachment for a machine having a shaft housing, a rotary shaft in the housing, and an operating head carried by the shaft beyond one end of the housing: said attachment comprising a main arm having clamping means at one end for mounting said arm on the housing, a bracket carried by said arm at its other end, a tension roll, and means on said bracket mounting said tension roll for swinging movement about a first axis substantially parallel to and spaced from the axis of said roll and for angular adjustment about a second axis perpendicular to the axis of said roll, a second bracket intermediate the ends of said arm, a spring tensioning lever on said second bracket, a spring operatively connected between said lever and roll and effective to bias said roll selectively for swinging movement in a direction away from the operating head on the shaft, and means including a member carried by said second bracket operatively connected to said roll for adjusting said roll about said second axis.

10. An attachment as defined in claim 9 in which said last means comprises a member movable in coincidence with said first axis to provide for angular adjustment independently of swinging movement.

11. A belt arm attachment for a machine having a first shaft housing, a rotary shaft in the housing, and an operating head carried by the shaft beyond one end of the housing: said attachment comprising a main arm having clamping means at one end for mounting said arm on the housing, a bracket carried by said arm at its other end, a tension roll, and means on said bracket mounting said tension roll for swinging movement about an axis substantially parallel to and spaced from the axis of said roll, a second bracket intermediate the ends of said arm, a manual operating lever pivoted on said second bracket, a second spring housing pivoted to said arm, a compression spring in said second housing, a rod extending through said second housing, a spring abutment on said rod engaging the end of said spring remote from said roll, and means connecting said rod to said roll to resiliently bias said roll for swinging movement away from the operating head.

12. An attachment as defined in claim 11 comprising a stop for said lever located to position the pivot mounting of said second spring housing in over-center relation with respect to the pivot mounting of said lever.

13. In apparatus of the character described, a main arm, a bracket fixed to said arm, a housing journaled to said bracket for rotation about a first axis, a support arm journaled to said housing for angular adjustment about a second axis perpendicular and spaced laterally from said first axis, a tension roll journaled to said support arm for rotation about a third axis substantially perpendicular to said second axis, resilient means connecting said main arm to said housing at a point spaced laterally from said first axis.

14. Structure as described in claim 13, and an overcenter lever pivoted to said main arm and operatively connected to said resilient means for effecting quick release and application of said resilient means.

15. Structure as described in claim 13 in which said second axis intersects said third axis substantially midway between the ends of said roll, a lever connected to said support arm in alignment with said first axis, and means movable in coincidence with said first axis and engageable with said lever to effect angular adjustment of said support arm about said second axis.

16. Structure as described in claim 15 comprising a bell crank pivoted to said main arm, and an adjusting rod connected to said main arm and said bell crank, said bell crank including a portion operably connected to said means to move said means in coincidence with said first axis.

17. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a rotatable member, a first support rotatably mounting said member and pivoted to bodily tilt the latter on a first axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the member, a further support mounting said first support and member to swing about a second axis which parallels the axis of rotation of the member, said second axis being perpendicular to said first axis and in a plane spaced laterally therefrom, an operator connected to said first support, and an actuator moving coaxially of said second axis to engage said operator in eccentric relation to said first axis.

18. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a rotatable member, a first support rotatably mounting said member and pivoted to bodily tilt the latter on a first axis perpendicular to and intersecting the axis of rotation of the member, a further support mounting said first support and member to swing about a second axis which parallels the axis of rotation of the member, said second axis being perpendicular to said first axis and in a plane spaced laterally therefrom, an operator connected to said first support, and an actuator moving coaxially of said second axis to engage said operator in eccentric relation to said first axis.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,911,666 Beitz May 30, 1933 2,075,297 OBrien Mar. 30, 1937 2,191,155 Mattison Feb. 20, 1940 

